POINT PLEASANT — Fishing is often viewed as a lifestyle, sport and hobby.

For two local men fishing is simply something they love to do in their spare time. However, that love ended up taking them to the Cabela’s King Kat Classic, a national fishing tournament that was held Oct. 16-17 in Sheffield, Ala.

Todd Anderson and Keith Sayre have fished together for about a year and are members of the Ohio Hills Catfish Club. According to Sayre, he and Anderson have competed in several tournaments with the club, such as the Bend Area C.A.R.E. tournament and the Cabela’s King Kat Tournament in both Morgantown and Gallipolis, Ohio.

Sayre and Anderson qualified this year for the Cabela’s King Kat Classic, which featured more than 250 anglers and 121 teams from 21 different states. The tournament lasted two days, and winners received both cash prizes and first and second place winners were awarded SeaArk Boats. Sayre and Anderson were the only team from West Virginia and placed 35th in the tournament.

“You are fishing against all of the top notch people from all over the U.S. and a lot of them had sponsors. We beat a lot of people who (fish) for a living,” Sayre said, adding that he was very proud of the team’s 35th place finish.

Sayre also described the tournament as a learning experience and said that he would love to compete again next year.

“(The tournament) was just a great experience and it’s just pride to see that you can fish against people like that and compete,” he added.

According to Sayre, he and Anderson were able to compete in the national tournament through the support of area businesses, including The Corner Restaurant, Apple Grove Market, Bend Area C.A.R.E., The Hut and Bob’s Market and Greenhouses.

For more information on the Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail visit the Web site, www.kingkatusa.com. For more information on the Ohio Hills Catfish Club, visit www.ohiohillscatfishclub.com.